After a stressful term at school, my grand mother asked me if I can join her during her Vietnam trip. Without thinking and other stuff, I said yes. 

April 13, 2014, 22:00; Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Waiting for our flight. I was so bored that time 'cause we arrived at the airport two hours before our flight.

Vietnam is an hour behind Philippines. So, we arrived at Vietnam, 12 am and stayed at Hoang Phuong Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.

DAY 1: Ho Chi Minh City/Vung Tau

"Good Morning, Vietnam!" is a famous American war-comedy about the Vietnam war.

There's a lot of motorcycle there since the cyclo is very rare in Vietnam. I consider this country as a busy country because everyone's really busy doing this and that. They aren't wasting their time doing nothing.

My first breakfast!! Leche flan with coffee syrup and a cup of water with tea!

A very good combination! Well, I'm not really a fan of water and tea but this one really caught me. I had more than one glass of it. 

We went to Vung Tau which is a three hour ride from Ho Chi Minh. We went there to visit different temples and also to relax at the beach!

We stayed at Lan Rung Resort. A very nice place! Everyone's really hospitable and friendly. 

Outside view of the hotel

Lobby of the hotel. Snug place!

During our lunch there, here's our very peaceful view. Clear water and fresh air! <3

I don't know what's with my grand mother when it comes to ordering food. She orders a lot!!

So, here's our lunch: Baked scallops with cheese, Fried frog, Fried Chicken with butter, and Seafood soup!

At first, I was shocked that she ordered fried frogs and scallops!! I'm not really a fan of sea foods and exotic food but since we're only two and she ordered a lot, I was forced to eat the scallops and the frog :(

Well, anyway...

I was so happy that I saw the sunset at the beach! Cotton candy sky to end a stressful day for me!

DAY 2: Back in Ho Chi Minh City

Duck egg is really a famous exotic and street food not only here in the Philippines but also in Vietnam! I had the chance to taste their duck egg. In Vietnam, you eat it with mint leaves, lemon, and salt with pepper.

Every 7:00 pm, there is a night market in front of the hotel where we stay. I'm so happy that there's a walking distance shopping place for us! But the most exciting part for me is buying Cafe Su Da or Iced coffee with milk.

I think I had 3 cups of this during out trip. Hahaha! I'm kinda addicted to coffee right now. 

DAY 3: Food and Nail Art day!

In Vietnam, there's a lot of street walk eatery. It's like a fast food chain but you're going to eat at the sidewalk or in front of their food stall. My grandmother love's to eat duck eggs and so we ate again at the place same place where we first tasted Vietnam's duck eggs.

After eating, my grand mother asked if I wanted to have my nails done and then I said yes quickly. Vietnam's nail art is so amazing! They don't use any machine to do a single nail art but they do it with their own hands.

I had a hard time choosing the design for my nails like I want all the designs to be on my hands but then I've chosen the floral design which perfectly matched my nails. HAHAH

Day 4: Last day in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

 Our last breakfast here in Vietnam. Ate at Benh Tanh Market and I decided to order the all time favorite beef noodle soup or Pho in Vietnamese. Happy tummy!! :) :)

After strolling around the market, we bought Mangoes, Atis, fish, and many more.

Annnnd, here's my healthy lunch, pork with veggies rolled in rice paper!! <3

And my dinner, Iced coffee with milk :)

Here's an how their eatery look like.

 Sooooo............

This year's trip to Vietnam is really different from our other visit to this country. It's like I learned how to live independently, speak a little Vietnamese, cross the street while motorcycles are moving, and appreciate little things. I remember the first time I visited this country, I was living dependently to my family. Unlike now, I know to decide on my own and know the difference between what's good and bad. I would definitely visit this beautiful country soon!

Hi everyone! Visit my lola's booth at the World Trade Center and experience the most authentic Vietnamese food in town!! See you there!! :)

 Last night, we celebrated Chinese New Year which has been our tradition. Every Chinese New Year, we ray and ask for blessings, eat, share laughter and  stories, eat, and the most important part is playing games!

The game is called Lac bu kho, I am not sure about the spelling, which we can relate to the Filipino game called Color game. :) You can place your bets anywhere. 

The game board :)

Grandma, cousins, aunties, and uncles enjoying the game!

Here is our Korean-Vietnamese dinner! :D

This is our offering to the gods.

Vietnamese Fish

Mamon with gold coins

Beef, bacon, Korean Soybean paste, and Lechon.

Pork and Shrimp meat in Sugarcane 

Shrimps

My boyfriend and I went home late because we have a class until 9 pm but thanks to our kind professor who permitted us to leave the class early after our practical exam. :)

We reached my cousins, aunties, and uncles at home. I really thought that we might not see them but thanks to the fast transportation here in the Philippines. 

How did you celebrated Chinese New Year? :)

It was just another Monday full of stressful vibes but thanks to my loved ones and friends for making me happy even though I am so stressed. I started November with tears because I lost someone who contributed   so much in my life. Someone who taught me how to speak in Vietnamese, Om Ngoai (Grand father in Vietnam). He who made me feel who am I really and where am I from. Even though we don't understand each other, I can see and feel how you love me, care for me, and show how important am I to you. My grand father died last October 30, 6:22 pm in Vietnamese time (5:22 pm in PH time).

I felt so sad that I can't give you my last respect due to school stuffs and I am here at the Philippines. I can only give you my prayers and love.

Your sweet smile, your tender care, your undying love for us will always remain in our hearts. You will always be remembered, Om Ngoai. Em yeˆu anh. Please tell daddy that we miss him! :)

 Xin Chào! I haven't said this to my readers, I have a 1/4 Vietnamese blood. Yes, I know. I look more like a Filipina but Hey! Check out my eyes! :P Kidding! Hahaha! So, I got this Vietnamese blood from my grand mother from my father's side. :) You can't actually say that I have that Vietnamese blood because you can't see it on my physical features. So sad. How I wish I was so white and skinny like those Vietnamese. =)) We are from South Vietnam not in North Vietnam. :D

I just wanted to share to you something. We used to own a restaurant at SM Megamall named Vietnam Food House. It is located in Mega A, 4th floor, near the elevator. Hahah! Sorry, I can't remember it because I was still young that time. We owned the restaurant for years!! :) But we had to close it because of some reasons.

So here are some of my favorite Vietnamese dishes! :)

Cha gio or Fried Spring roll is served as an appetizer. Its main structure is composed of ground meat, shrimp, wood ear, and vermicelli and it is rolled up in a sheet of rice paper. The roll is then deep fried, then if the rice paper coat turns into golden brown and crispy, it is now ready to serve. The sauce for this is called nuoc nam pha which is a mixture of fish sauce, lemon juice or vinegar, water, sugar, garlic, and chili pepper.

Hu tieu tom thit or Rice Noodle & Egg Noodle with Shrimp & Roasted Pork is a rice noodle soup made with pork and seafood stock.

Bun bo hue is a soup containing rice vermicelli and beef. This dish is spicy and the predominant flavor is lemon grass. It also includes beef shank, chunks of oxtails, pig's knuckles, and cubs of pigs blood. This dish can be served with served with lime wedges, cilantro sprigs, diced green onions, raw sliced onions, chili sauce, thinly sliced banana blossom, red cabbage, mint, basil, perrilla, persicaria odorata or vietnamese coriander (rau ram), saw tooth herb and sometimes mung bean sprouts. 

Goi cuon or spring roll is served as a appetizer. It is wrapped in a Vietnamese rice paper with pork, prawn, herbs, rice vermicelli, and other ingredients. The difference between Cha gio and Goi cuon is that Cha gio is deep fried while Goi cuon is not deep fried but is served fresh. It is served with peanut sauce.

Pho is served with beef (Pho bo) or chicken (Pho ga). The soup includes rice flour and often served with Asian basil, saw tooth herb, rau om (rice paddy herb), cilantro, thinly sliced green onion, lime juice, and bean sprouts that are added to the soup by the person who is dining.

So, those are my favorite dishes! :) I know, it's all mouth watering. Try eating at any Vietnamese restaurant and you'll experience the taste of Vietnam!! :)